RedNote targets AI-run accounts with new governance rules

Major social media and content platform RedNote, or Xiaohongshu, announced new governance measures on Tuesday targeting accounts automatically operated through AI tools, saying violations could lead to account bans in the most serious cases.

In a statement posted on its official account, the platform said it recently discovered that some users were running accounts using so-called AI "hosting" models, in which content is automatically generated and published through technical tools, while comments, private messages and group chats are also generated to create the appearance of real user interaction.

It stressed that using AI technology to impersonate real users, create non-authentic content or conduct fake interactions will be strictly prohibited.

Under the new rules, accounts that are directly registered, operated and interacted with through AI hosting tools, or those whose publicly visible posts are entirely generated and published by such tools, will face account bans, according to the statement.

For accounts that occasionally use AI hosting tools to create, post or interact, RedNote said it will adopt a tiered penalty system based on the severity of violations, including warnings and restrictions on content distribution.

"It is every genuine record and every sincere exchange that together create the warmth of the community," the announcement said, calling on users to use AI tools responsibly during the creative process and to ensure that posts continue to reflect real experiences and personal insights shared by individuals.

lijiaying@chinadaily.com.cn